Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-12-04

low In the rifles, with all the affection O
which her nature was capable; but b
was not rich enough to give her sill tn
luxuries that, as beauty, she requires
and felt her due, SO she cast him OF
and married the more wealth,
cousin of Horace Musgraye, as you know
and won all the splendor for which shs
had ever pinned. Yet Hilda-she is dea
girl-asserted cody, Il am not hlrt-
no-my worst enemies cannot accuse m'
OF being so. I have often won gloves
and brooches at Ascot and Nottingham
and many cheque for button-hole at
charitable bazaar, but what OF all that
am no ffIrtp But she was coquette
and a nice one too. Now, as for Melanie
who can ans yer for the caprices of 6
woman, and still more those OF roman
tic girl? | feel thankful that l have nc
daughter TO worry me, as girls are sc
| certain 10 fall in love with the WronE
person at first"
The result OF ell this was thst Sill
Brisco gathered great courage anew; but
the sudden sppea -aBce of MeIanie at tbs
hall, and at sn hour SO esrly, il it greatly
enchanted, certainly puzzled him, while
the whole conversation referred TO rushed
upon his mind.
He could not prevail upon her TO enter,
even TO see her brother. She was in
hasge, she urged, and must return home
without delay.
Womsnhood was asserting itself now
in the bearing OF Melanie, and when Sir
Brisco, in accosting her, lifted his stalker
chp from his grizzled head, he was fairly
enhanced by her pale beauty, accustomed
now though he was 10 it; but though
encouraged by all that Mrs. Chillington
had said but Yesterday, her manner dis
appointed and bewildered him now.
alt was Reggie l wished to see," said
she, nervously Withdrawing her hand
from his lingering clasp. CHOW good
how good Of you to be SO kind TO him. %
she added, forcing back her tears; "but
it was not about him l have come this
moruing-Dick, my little brother
Dick"
"What OF Dick?"
ISIS he not with your" she asked, her
miserable gaze fastened on his with some
thing Of desperation in il.
':With me-here at the hall-no.n
Melanie now, to his CONSERVATION,
soboed heavily, the long strain of the past
hours iLding partial relief once more in q
food Of tears.
"Good heavens, what is the matter2"
asked Sir Brisco, with genuine concern.
He thu heard with surprise, but little
more emotion, of Dicks disappearance,
of what had brought it about: and only
believed that he "was playing the tru
ant" and that he would turn up in the
course Of day or so, when he had spent
all his money, ignorant that poor Dick
wss penniless.
"Don't be so alarmed, Melsnie-Miss
TaIbot-it is only boSish fTesk," said
Sir Brisco. 'T ran away from E5on my
self-swam the river to escape my tutor
hell be all right, never fear"
"Bus two nights absence, Sir Brisco-
two pights!"
"Trust to me, Melanie; shall see at
ter him. But where can the young
rogue be hiding himself"
''Oh, fad him, II possible, Sir BriscO
l love my boy brother SO, that in my
gratitude"
she paused.
"One who loves IS we'll as you do must
be q sturdy hater as WE'LL" said he, smil-
ing.
81 know not; 1 never hated anyone"
replied Melanie, gently and truly.
"You hold my life-my happiness. GER
tainly-in your HANDS," said Sir Brisco,
in low and earnest voice, as he thought
Of his recent conference with her aunt;
but MelaGie smiled bitterly, with ayerteo
face, at the inflated love making of her
elderly admirer.
"Think, really, is there no hope for me
now?" he urged.
"Why-now?" thought Melanie; but
Sir Brisco had an idea that there was,
and that the field was all but clear for
him.
81 do not seek to hurry you. Melsnie,"
said he, bending over her; "but it will go
hard with me to give up the hopes to
which have clupg so long"
son, why speak to me again on this
subject, and at such timer Is it gener-
1us?"
"Pardon me, but can help you in your
sorrow, and may discover this fooIisbIlit-
lie rascal Dick; yet, will never give up
nope, Melanie, ill 1 see you the-the
wife of another"
Melanie wrung her hands; irritation
low mingled with her bitter anxiety. She
.urned her back for moment, and thus
gave Sir Brisco an opportunity of noting
he snowy nape of her neck, and thinking
low long her dark brown hsir must be,
~ the number of coils at the back of her
'hspely head.
In her helplessness, snd knowing that
f aught serious had happened to Dick,
Sir Brisco alone would befriend her, she
vas compelled to hear more of
lis tenderness, with kind Of
stunned sensation; and totally declin-
ng his escort, she turned sway, thinking
he while that her home, never q very
Happy one, was broken and desolate now,
10 she need not hasten thitner. Yet she |
lid SO, in the desperate hope that the
Missing boy might have returned in the |
nterim-a hope dashed by old Bethis,
Who met her On the threshold with q woe |
al shake of the head.
Noon passed on; around was dresry |
prospect of leafess branches and slanting |
Vind-b bio " rain. Was he out under all
hat, out alive or dead.
Evening again drew on. Soon the sun
would set; the western sky was growing |
crimson, the birds were wiDging their
way homeward, the shades were falling,
he rising wind shred away the last Of |
he lingering leaves, and the lap of the
liver came from distance.
Meanwhile, Sir Brisco was active, and
his kindness of heart spart-snxious to |
vim at least the gratitude of
he had the roads secured |
md the woods searched by
lis keepers; the police stations referred |
o; out all in vain. No trace OF Dick |
,ouId Fn found Another dav and MONT |